Police: Carpool lane stop leads to kidnapping charge

FORT LEE, N.J. (AP) — A man who was pulled over in a carpool lane near the George Washington Bridge because he didn't appear to have any passengers is facing kidnapping charges for allegedly holding two men against their will, including one he'd picked up in Texas, police said.

Police stopped Luis Moreno Jr.'s sport utility vehicle Friday morning because they thought he was alone in the vehicle, said Joe Pentangelo, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Moreno, 26, told police he had two passengers with him, but one of the passengers began yelling for help as he pulled away, investigators said. Moreno refused police directives to stop, but was soon captured after he got stuck in traffic.

The Elizabeth, New Jersey, man is being held on $1 million bail, port authority police said.

One alleged victim told police Moreno had agreed to drive him from Texas to Maryland for an undisclosed fee, but then demanded more money upon arriving there. When he didn't get it, Moreno allegedly locked both passengers in the SUV and took a cellphone from one of the men.

Pentangelo said Moreno was also wanted on numerous parole violations in Texas and was found to have a suspended driver's license. It wasn't known Saturday if Moreno has retained an attorney.